A spokesman for Noble Foods said: "This is a very unfortunate accident, however our first priority is to ensure the driver's welfare and recovery and then deal with the chickens in the most humane way possible.

"All the live birds have been rounded up and are going to be directed to a local Scottish abattoir to minimise any further delays."

The Scottish SPCA said it had concerns for the welfare of the chickens.

Speaking during the incident, motorist Tony Collins, from Cumbernauld, said: "There are boxes all over the carriageway and there were still a few chickens running around the embankment."

Police had appealed to motorists on the north bound carriageway not to slow down to watch the recovery operation and to refrain from taking photographs while driving.

The police added that they would like to remind drivers that using a mobile phone while driving is illegal.

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